Wise Port and Business Energy Management: Port Facilities, Electrical Power Distribution

Abstract

This paper deals with the relevance of analyzing the necessary development and of proposing a plan for research and remodeling the electrical infrastructures of port facilities. Good energy management principles, as well as electrical distribution architecture have a vital impact on performance of the installed system throughout its life cycle. The ports are the interface of maritime transport and are integrated in the surrounding land. They are required to arrange their electrical power distribution system, possibly in microgrids, that is, as a “utility” system, appropriate and adequate even to power the ship from shore. Harbors must have an energy master plan and their areas have to be considered as a unique customer. The energy management of a port area may be a great business opportunity for the port authority, which until now was not, involving different stakeholders who may benefit from service, including the same power utility company that benefits from the optimization and control of the energy flows.